Dolores M. (Cernota) Dvorak

Mrs. Dolores M. Dvorak

Of Natrona Heights, PA

Dolores Mary Dvorak, 83, died surrounded by her children on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.  She was born in Whiting, Indiana, to Slovak immigrant parents Maria and Stephen Cernota.  Dolores graduated as valedictorian of both Whiting High School in 1954 (at age 16), and Saint Margaret’s School of Nursing in Hammond, Indiana in 1957, where she had received a full scholarship.  Dolores then graduated with honors from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1960.  There she met her future husband, Jacob Dvorak, who attended the University of Notre Dame.  Jacob and Dolores married in 1962 and settled in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania.  There, Dolores taught nursing at Allegheny Valley Hospital.  Dolores especially treasured her Roman Catholic Faith, leading to extensive service in the Christian Mothers group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, where she also taught religious education classes.  Dolores delivered great comfort and mercy to the faithful departed of the Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament church and their families as a member of the Resurrection Choir.  She regularly provided her guidance, vision, and leadership in more than forty years as a member of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, and was a frequent participant in the annual March for Life in Washington, DC.  Her sharp-witted letters to the editor frequently graced the pages of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Valley News Dispatch.  Dolores and Jacob regularly returned to Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s for football games and reunions.  Dolores is survived by her children, Dr. Mary Dvorak, Colonel (Ret) US Air Force, Jacob (Jennifer) Dvorak, Miriam (Mark) Wennersten, Jacinta (Michael O’Connell) Dvorak, Therese (Thomas) Dymek, and John (Megan) Dvorak, Lieutenant Colonel (Promotable) US Army; as well as fourteen grandchildren.  She was especially close to her granddaughter Mary O’Connell and helped her with pandemic Zoom lessons at the Saint Anthony Program at Blessed Trinity Academy.  She was predeceased by her beloved infant grandson, Jacob Michael O’Connell.  Before her death, Dolores frequently told her children that she wanted Mass offerings instead of flowers for her funeral.  Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Anthony School Programs, 2000 Corporate Drive #580, Wexford, PA 15090, stanthonykids.org.

Family and friends are invited from 2-8 PM on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the ROBERT PETERS FUNERAL HOME INC., 1521 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 (724-224-7730), where a parting prayer service will be held at 9:30 AM on Monday, May 17, 2021. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 800 Montana Avenue, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 with the Rev. Aaron Kriss, officiating.  Burial will follow at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Tarentum.  For online condolences and more information please visit us at www.petersfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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